Despite coming up short of Limerick at Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the hurlers of Kerry gave an excellent account of themselves, showcasing their ability to compete at this level. The Division IIA champions began with a stunning victory over Laois last weekend, and they recovered from a 12-point deficit after just 20 minutes here to lose by just four at the end.

Limerick, backed by a powerful breeze in the first half, were somewhat fortunate to lead 1-16 to 1-5 at half-time but a superb Kerry second half display restricted Limerick to just three points in the second period, and left them gasping for breath in the closing stages before the Treaty County hung on to make it two wins from two in Division IB.

Limerick led 0-5 to 0-2 after 12 minutes, Cian Lynch, Barry Nash and Declan Hannon all on the scoreboard. Then, a goal from Hannon directly from a placed ball at the end of the first quarter left them 1-7 to 0-2 ahead and seemingly pulling away. Kerry’s industry and endeavour wasn’t quite reflected on the scoreboard as Limerick added scores to lead 1-11 to 0-2 after 20 minutes, an ominously large advantage from a Kerry perspective.

However, Kerry, managed by Limerick legend Ciarán Carey, are made of stern stuff and when points from Michael O’Leary and Shane Nolan were followed by a Mikey Boyle goal, they trailed by just seven points. However, Limerick reeled off five of the next six points to lead 1-16 to 1-5 at the interval.

Heavy rain fell during the second half but Kerry were determined to get back into the game and they slowly worked their way back, Jack Goulding, John Egan and Shane Nolan (frees) all among their scorers as they reduced the arrears to six, 1-18 to 1-12, by the 65th minute.

Seán Tobin got Limerick’s only point from play in the second half to push them seven clear as the game entered injury-time but Kerry finished strongly, knocking over three points in the remaining minutes to go down fighting and leave the clear impression that they will fight tooth and nail for their survival in IB this year.

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Clare came good in the end to defeat Wexford in an entertaining encounter at Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday afternoon. Despite having the benefit of a strong wind in the first half, Wexford struggled for much of it and only led at the break thanks to a fine penalty a few minutes before half-time from goalkeeper Mark Fanning. That left it 1-6 to 0-7 going in.

The lead swelled to four points in the third quarter but Clare gradually chipped away at Wexford and took firm control of the game in the final quarter, hitting nine of the final 10 points, including five without reply in the last few minutes, to take a valuable victory away from the south-east.

Wexford, backed by the strong breeze, led 0-4 to 0-1 after 10 minutes but six in a row from Clare, including a series of placed balls from Colin Ryan and scores from Conor McGrath and John Conlon, had them 0-7 to 0-4 ahead by the 28th minute. Fanning’s powerfully struck penalty in the 33rd minute followed Wexford points from Eoin Moore and David Dunne, and that burst of 1-2 helped Liam Dunne’s side into a much needed 1-6 to 0-7 interval lead.

After some early sparring in the second half, Wexford moved four clear, leading 1-10 to 0-9 after 50 minutes, thanks to two frees in a row from Harry Kehoe. However, that was the beginning of the end of their challenge, as Clare took control shortly afterwards. Now backed by the wind, Clare drew level following points from Ryan (free), David Reidy and Bobby Duggan. A Kehoe free briefly put Wexford back in the lead in the 64th minute, but Clare were dominant by now and made it count in the closing minutes.

Points from Jack Browne, Bobby Duggan and three from the ruthlessly efficient Colin Ryan in the last five minutes saw Clare level and then move clear of Wexford to take the win. Clare now have two wins from two in Division IB and are firmly in the promotion hunt. Wexford have lost two on the bounce, but will be expected to do well in their remaining fixtures, against Laois, Kerry and Offaly.

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Two late Kevin Kelly goals handed Kilkenny victory over arch-rivals Tipperary at Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon. The Cats bounced back from last weekend’s defeat against holders Waterford to kickstart their Allianz Hurling League Division 1A campaign in front of 10,892 spectators.

For Kilkenny, this is a hugely significant victory achieved without a host of recognised stars, and against a Tipp side that saw off Dublin by 14 points in their opening fixture. Kilkenny’s win also ensures that Tipp’s dismal record against the Noresiders since 2010 continues.

In 13 competitive League and championship fixtures since Tipp denied the Cats five-in-a-row All-Ireland titles, they have won just two and on paper at least, this was one they would have felt confident of winning. Brian Cody will have left the venue today feeling deeply satisfied with the depth in his panel as forwards Kelly and Man-of-the-Match James Maher put their hands up for long-term inclusion in his starting line-up.

Kelly’s two clinical goals put this one to bed for Kilkenny as Maher chipped in with four points. Hurler of the Year TJ Reid was also mightily impressive for the hosts, collecting ten points. For Tipp, John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer was their standout performer with a haul of nine points and while other Premier County players produced some nice cameo moments, Kilkenny had the greater stomach for the fight.

The Kilkenny psychological hex is one that Tipp have struggled to shake off for a long time now and this defeat won’t help their cause. Kilkenny could also afford the luxury of 13 wides and in a hard-hitting encounter, they went in just a point down at half-time, 0-8 to 0-9, having played against the breeze.

Goal chances came and went at either end of the pitch before Kelly struck for that late, decisive brace. Walter Walsh’s delivery saw sub Jonjo Farrell get in behind Cathal Barrett, who slipped, and Kelly finished Farrell’s pass from close range. Kelly found the net with a low strike past Darren Gleeson in the third minute of stoppage time as Kilkenny laid down an early-season marker.

The Tipperary starting XV to line out against Kilkenny in Round 2 of the Allianz Hurling League in Nowlan Park at 2pm next Sunday, February 21st, is unchanged from last Saturday night’s opening fixture and is as follows –

Construction work is underway at both the Terrace end and on the extension to Ardan O Cearbhaill (Ted Carroll Stand). This means that the Terrace will be closed to the public for next Sunday and indeed our remaining games next month versus Galway and Dublin. The area around Aras O Cearbhaill(Admin Building) is a building site and is completely out of bounds to the public.

All stands will be open but transfer from one side of the ground to the other will not be possible.
Season Ticket Holders will be admitted to Ardan de Gras (Paddy Grace Stand) via Stiles 9 to 12 on Hebron Road.
Wheelchair users should use special entrance beside Stile 8 to access Wheelchair Area in Ardan de Gras (Paddy Grace Stand)

Stiles will open at 12.30.
Cash will not be accepted at the turnstiles. Tickets will be on sale at the Sales Kiosks on Hebron Road(2) and O’Loughlin Rd(2).
Supporters are urged to purchase in advance to avail of reduced rate and to avoid queues on Sunday.

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